Comparing Adductor Canal Block and Adductor Canal Block-Local Infiltration Analgesia for Post-operative Pain Management

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Adductor Canal Block Versus Combination of Adductor Canal Block and Local Infiltration Analgesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effect on Postoperative Analgesia and Motor Power

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is one of the most commonly performed surgeries amongst young orthopedic surgery patients. Optimal post-operative pain control helps to reduce the opioid burden and to improve the patient's experience. Regional anesthesia, such as the femoral nerve block (FNB) and adductor canal block (ACB), are commonly used for post-operative pain control after surgery. The ACB has replaced the FNB. This is because the ACB targets the femoral nerve, while avoiding the numbing effects on quadricep muscle strength that make it difficult to move the leg. Another form of pain control is local infiltration anesthesia (LIA), which directly blocks pain in the knee. Similar to the ACB, it avoids the numbing effects on the quadricep muscle.This can help improve patient safety and experience by reducing risks of falls and allowing the patient to move earlier. This can also be associated with decreased time in the hospital and decreased costs. Technically, it is less complex and can be done the shorter period of time.

The purpose of this study is to refine the pain management technique following anterior cruciate ligament surgery. More specifically, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of LIA alone, and a LIA-ACB combination on post-operative pain and thigh muscle strength.

Inclusion Criteria:

• English speaking or any other language with possibility of adequate translation
• ASA I-III patients
• Age 18-50
• BMI ≤ 38 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Refusal or inability to provide informed consent
• Any contraindication to regional anesthesia including coagulopathy or bleeding diathesis,
• Allergy to local anesthetics, or infection at the site of the block
• History of long-term opioid intake (more than 3 months use) or chronic pain disorder (more than 3 months)
• History of preexisting neuropathy in the operative leg
• Revision of ACL repair